Im in third year, and I'm clueless.

[LR_C]

Hey everyone,

I'm just extremely stressed right now. Im currently in third year of the BScN program (which ends in 4 weeks) and I'm having a bit of a crisis and I can't handle it anymore. I'm having A LOT of trouble putting things together and I can't see myself magically being able to do so when I get a full time job next year!

Im in THIRD year and I feel like I know NOTHING about electrolytes, I can't name the name of the receptors on the lungs for example... until someone brought up last week in class that when you're giving someone oxygen it affects the chemoreceptors on the lungs. I WOULDNT HAVE KNOWN THAT IF SHE DIDNT SAY IT!, I'm still not understanding 100% how the kidneys affect the liver and vice versa, and don't even get me started on acid-base balance. I feel like I know absolutely NOTHING. Everyone is always saying stuff that they remember from pharmacology like 2 years ago! I still need a reminder on what corticosteroids do! and I don't even know what beta blockers do without looking it up in my notes and reminding myself like every time.

I can't believe this is happening... I feel so mentally inept! And it feels like I need another like 6 years in school to be competent. A part of me feels like just furthering my studies after I graduate in another field... but I know there is nothing else in the world I rather do. I just want to work in the neonatal unit. Its my dream and I cant wait. I just dont think I can do it.

Help. Any books I can read/ study over the summer to refresh my memory on stuff do you think? Any suggestions about ANYTHING I can do? I just want to be an incredible nurse. I know I have the heart, but definitely not the knowledge. And I can't believe I'm admitting this.

Thankyou!

[reganette]

Trust yourself, try to get full nights of sleep, relax! Ginkgo Biloba! You can do it. You got this far.

[jorjaRN]

Don't stress yourself out too much...have you started clinicals yet? It will help once you see the whole picture. For me, it didn't "click" until I applied it and was able to look at things from a broader perspective. It just doesn't make as much sense until you apply all of this knowledge that you're being bombarded with right now. Some of it you will absolutely need, but I think it will make more sense once it's part of an overall clinical picture with a certian patient. Other stuff, you learn in school to give you a foundation of knowlwdge, and you might never use again unless you go into a highly specialized setting (and even then, you'll hone certain knowledge that you use every day while the rest falls into the backround).

If you're still worried, talk to your instructors and tell them about your concerns, and ask them if they feel that they are valid. Most likely, you're stressing yourself out about nothing.

Good luck!! Try to hang in there.

[Maeggles]

How are you doing on the exams? If you are doing well on the exams, then maybe you are just overwhelmed and are selling yourself short.

I am going to graduate in December and I keep thinking that there is no way that I am going to be ready by then. But my exam grades and clinical performance are fine and I try to remember that I am not going to be alone on a floor. I will be working under someone else and I'm not afraid to ask questions.

Keep your chin up, and study, study, study!

[morningland]

I feel the exact same way... although I am only first year, I'm in an accelerated program and feel completely clueless. One thing that REALLY helps me is the Saunders NCLEX review. The CD which comes with the book has thousands of questions WITH RATIONALES and it serves as an excellent refresher and study tool. Just the other day, I was wanted to brush up on my pharm and went through the CD's Pharmacology questions and it really reinforced a lot of information in my head.

I learn from repetition. I have to learn things at a few different times for it to really sink in but once it does, it's locked in my head